Fear among BJP cadres visible after killings, resignations of party associates

All is not well with BJP, as activists from its J&K Unit are quitting the party on one or other pretext. A senior party leader admitted that the repeated delay from the administration in providing adequate security cover is the main reason of fear among the party cadres. While its members are trying to distance themselves from the party, a clear indication of the fear among its members, and the procrastination of the party practice rather ‘do it now” approach has led its members in a state of catch22. While few believe and admit that efforts are on in this regard and soon the issue regarding the security cover will be addressed.

According to a local news agency, several BJP activists have given up the party either after receiving life threats by militants or having indifferences with party higher-ups. At least three party activists including District President Baramulla have so far parted ways from the party after the killing of BJP youth leader Wasim Bari, his father, and younger brother outside his residence by militants in Bandipora district on July 8.

Party insiders told a local news agency that providing adequate security cover to BJP activists was long pending demand of BJP Unit of Kashmir, but due to situation emerged post-abrogation of Article 370 and subsequently followed by Covid-19 pandemic, it could not materialize and the process was delayed as Government of UT J&K remained engaged with other timely issues.
They said the prominent faces in BJP in several parts of Kashmir Valley are repeatedly facing life threats due to which they are unable to carry out their political activities in public.
“All is not well in BJP Unit of J&K as back to back resignations have caused ripples in party cadres after the killing of BJP leader in Bandipora district”, sources said.
On Thursday a lady activist from north Kashmir’s Handwara town tendered her resignation and parted her ways from the party.
Mubeena Bano, who had joined BJP few months ago distanced herself from the party and said, “I joined BJP for easing the hardships of common people but as far as ground situation is concerned, party is doing nothing on the ground level, so I opted for resignation”.
She is the third leader of the BJP from north Kashmir who resigned from the party in less than a week.
Earlier two youth leaders of the party also distanced and tendered their resignation to party higher-ups.
On July 11, Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJMYM) president from Baramulla, Maroof Bhat also resigned from the party. “I hereby resign from the BJYM as a member and any post I held as part of it. I thank you for giving me the opportunity to work for the party,” Bhat had said.
He further said, “We can sacrifice our lives for the nation, but not of our children. I have been attacked twice in the past, yet nothing has been done about it. I have not been given even a single personal security officer.”
Sources said that resigned party activists are not elaborating on the facts while tendering resignations. “They are repeatedly being threatened and closely being watched, their activities are being monitored, their children and family members are always on militant’s radar, so they feel danger while mentioning actual reasons in their resignation letters”, a BJP insider told.
On July 14, the party’s vice-president for Kupwara Asif Ahmad also left the party. Without mentioning the scare, he said “I have joined BJP to work for the betterment of people but officials often used to put hurdles in our way due to which party has lost its faith in the administration. Officials are not ready to listen to our pleas”.
Besides distancing of party activists in north Kashmir parts, a BJP leader Mehraj-ud-din Malla of Marazigund, Watergam of Rafiabad Baramulla was reportedly “abducted” on Wednesday, July 15 by some unknown persons, however, he was later released in the evening. The incident caused ripples among its party cadres in north Kashmir parts, who are scared to represent BJP in public.
On July 8, 2020, militants fired upon BJP leader of Bandipora Wasim Bari, his father and younger brother outside his residence, and fled from the spot. Though trio had been shifted to a nearby health care centre, however, they succumbed on the way. Police termed the killings as a “pre-planned” attack and accused proscribed militant outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) of the killings. They said that the killers had been identified. A statement issued by the police read as,“two militants involved in the attack have been identified. Abid, a local militant, and a foreigner from Pakistan”. It was a pre-planned attack by the LeT,” Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Vijay Kumar told media.
Manzur Bhat, senior party leader in J&K told local news agency  that associates of BJP in Valley are facing huge crisis particularly after August 5, 2019. He said despite taking up the security issue with the higher officials, they didn’t bother to pay a heed to it..
He further said party leaders and workers are the target of militants as it is only BJP who carried out political activities across the Valley after abrogation of Article 370 and worked for strengthening of democracy in UT. “Be it Panchayat polls or ULLB polls, only BJP took part and organized public meetings which irked militant groups.”, Bhat said.
Vibodh Gupta, General Secretary of the party while talking to a news wire said that BJP workers are not terror struck in the Valley as the entire country and BJP leadership stand with them. He said those party leaders who are without security cover, should be taken care of by the concerned Government.
“Those having no security cover should be given adequate security and moved to security zones”, Gupta added, “Efforts are on to provide them proper security cover”.
He termed the BJP associates as “ambassadors” of peace and said their morale is always high as they are strengthening the roots of democracy in J&K.